Multiple launch rocket systems are in service with the UK and Norway. The governments of the countries agreed that the UK will transfer part of its MLRS to Ukraine, and Norway will compensate the UK for this equipment from its warehouses, government of Norway reported.
“We must continue our support for Ukraine so that they can continue their fight for freedom and independence. More weapons are needed and this is a much needed capability for Ukraine, which we would not have achieved without close cooperation with the United Kingdom,” said Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram.
Norway bought 12 MLRS M270s in the late 1990s under the new "Division 2000" program. A few years later, the program was recognized as not relevant and curtailed, and in 2005 all installations were sent to the warehouse. The Norwegian armed forces have been trying to sell unwanted M270s for several years, including to Finland. But at the last moment got decided to keep them.
From the message of the Norwegian government, it follows that the British will receive three decommissioned copies of the M270.
“Our guns require serious modernization, so we agreed with the British that they get Norwegian guns so that they can send some of theirs to Ukraine. This is an example of good cooperation between the allies,” added the head of the Norwegian defense department.
In addition, the Norwegian government decided to transfer 5,000 grenades to Ukraine in addition to the 5,000 grenades already transferred. The type of ammunition is not specified.
The M270 is a multiple launch rocket system developed by the American company Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in 1983. The launcher is mounted on the tracked base of the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle.
It uses replaceable sets of launch tubes unified with the HIMARS wheeled MLRS for 227 mm shells with a firing range of up to 70 km or ATACAMS missiles with a maximum range of 300 km. The M270 carries twice as much ammunition compared to HIMARS, but is slightly inferior in movement speed.
